Improvement in gate-latches



H. UNGERH GATE-LATCHES.

No. 193,678. Patented-July 31,1877.

FIG.2.

UNITED PATENT OFFICE.

HIRAM UNGER, OF GERMANTOWN, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN GATE-LATCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 193,678. dated July 31, 1877; application filed April 2, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM UNGER, of Germantown, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gate-Fastenings'; and I do hereby declare that the following'is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 represents an end view of my fastening as applied to a gate. Fig. 2 represents a front view of the same. Fig. 3 represents an end view of the gate with the latch at- I tached thereto. Fig. 4 represents an edge view of the catch-plate and catch with a part of the catch-plate in vertical section. Fig.5 represents the rear side of the catch detached.

The object of my improvement is to provide a simple, durable, and efficient fastening for gates, which cannot be opened by animals.

The latch, which is of cylindrical form, is constructed with two plates, B B, the latter being of dovetail form, to fit into acorrespondingly-formed recess made in the gate-frame, as shown in Fig. 3. The plates B B, which are cast with the latch B, stand at right angles to each other, and are provided with screw-holes, to fasten the latch to the gate.

The catch-plate D is provided with the stud E and lugs I I, between which the weighted pendent catchA is hinged. Catch Ais provided with the shoulder c, which, in opera- 7 tion, strikes against that portion of the metal between the lugs I I, to determine the extent of its movement. The space or recess between lugs I 1, indicated in the sectional part of Fig. 4, is provided to allow room for the play of the upper part of catch A.

A longitudinal slot with acute angles is formed on the front of the circular latch B, as indicated at d in Fig. 1, and a corresponding recess, a, is formed across the inner face of catch A, as clearly represented in the drawings. At the junction of the plate D with the lugs I 1 the inclined plane b is formed, as

shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the purpose of which will be presently explained.

My fastening consists of three parts, and is secured to the gate and its post by five strong wood-screws. These parts may be made of cast metal, and the grooves a d, which furnish a locking device, will be made in the operation of casting, which will obviate the expense of machine-work, except to furnish the pintle for the catch.

In the use of my fastening, the gate to which it is attached will be closed and fastened without any manipulation of the fastening; but when it is to be opened, in order to detach the tooth of the catch from the lip at the lower line of the groove din the latch, a person opening the gate will force the gate inwardly, and

then the catch may be turned so as to permit part B to pass over it.

The incline b serves to cause the gate, when it is closed, to react, and retain the connection of the tooth of the catch with the recess 01 of the latch.

In the drawings, Gr denotes a portion of the gate, and F indicates the gate-post, to which plate D is secured.

The object of the stud E is to prevent the gate from being raised up by animals.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. The combination, in a gate-fastening, of the grooved latch B with plate D, provided with lugs I I, stud E, and toothed catch A, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The locking device of the fastening, consisting of the recessed or grooved latch and catch, in combination with the incline b of the plate-D, substantially as described.

Witness my hand this 21st day of March, 1877.

HIRAM UNGER. 

